Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Robert Prevost, now leads the Catholic Church as the first American pope in history. At 69, he begins his papacy with a global community of over 1.4 billion followers.
Born in Chicago, Pope Leo XIV brings a reformist background and international experience. He served for years as a missionary in Peru and later became an archbishop there. He holds dual citizenship in the U.S. and Peru and earned recognition for working closely with marginalized communities.
The Vatican has not explained why he chose the name Pope Leo XIV, but the name carries strong historical significance. Previous popes who used the name Leo are known for peace, leadership, and reform.
Pope Leo I, also called St Leo the Great, led the Church from 440 to 461 AD. He became famous for defending peace during times of turmoil. According to legend, his meeting with Attila the Hun convinced the invader to retreat from Italy. Raphael later illustrated this moment in a fresco that remains in the Vatican.
Pope Leo XIII, who led from 1878 to 1903, also made a lasting mark. Born Vincenzo Gioacchino Pecci, he championed social justice and worker rights. His encyclical Rerum Novarum addressed labor conditions and laid the foundation for Catholic social teaching.
When a new pope is elected, one of his first decisions is to choose a new name. This tradition began more than 500 years ago. Earlier popes kept their baptismal names, but later leaders adopted symbolic names to express continuity or values.
By choosing the name Pope Leo XIV, the new pope may wish to align with the legacies of Pope Leo I and Pope Leo XIII. Pope Francis made a similar decision when he chose his name in honor of St Francis of Assisi, inspired by his friend Cardinal Claudio Hummes.
Although not the most common name, Leo remains prominent in papal history. John holds the top spot as the most frequently chosen name, first used in 523 by Saint John I. The latest pope to use it was John XXIII, elected in 1958 and later canonized in 2014.
American Catholics celebrated this historic election with visible joy. In St Peter’s Square, crowds waved U.S. flags and cheered as Pope Leo XIV appeared on the balcony. His election marks a turning point in the Church’s global leadership and cultural representation.
Pope Leo XIV brings pastoral experience, a cross-cultural worldview, and a drive for reform. His years of missionary service and community outreach reflect a deep commitment to inclusion and justice. Many Catholics see his leadership as a fresh opportunity to guide the Church into a more connected, modern future.
